9,292 research outputs found
Biofuel Subsidies: An Open-Economy Analysis
We present a general equilibrium analysis of biofuel subsidies in an open-economy context. In the small-country case, when a Pigouvian tax on conventional fuels such as crude is in place, the optimal biofuel subsidy is zero. When the tax on crude is not available as a policy option, however, a second-best biofuel subsidy (or tax) is optimal. In the large-country case, the optimal tax on crude departs from its standard Pigouvian level and a biofuel subsidy is optimal. A biofuel subsidy spurs global demand for food and confers a terms-of-trade benefit to the food-exporting nation. This might encourage the food-exporting nation to use a subsidy even if it raises global crude use. The food importer has no such incentive for subsidization. Terms-of-trade effects wash out between trading nations; hence, any policy intervention by the two trading nations that raises crude use must be jointly suboptimal.optimal biofuel subsidy, Pigouvian tax, terms-of-trade, pollution externality
Choices and Responsibilities: A Human Centric Approach to University-Industry Knowledge Transfer
The paper reflects on the growing complexities of management education in which business practitioners invite selected academic institutions to develop partnerships for resolving practical challenges and equipping those in the workplace to make more reflective and enlightened choices. European examples from Cambridge and Nottingham illustrate that successful industry and academic collaborations embody long-established themes of mentor-mentee, master-learner relationships. This human centric approach yields personal characteristics for reflective practitioners which enhance innovation, productivity and reputation building. The examples presented in this paper are then placed in a broader university – industry knowledge transfer context, using a so-called ‘bow tie’ model.
The authors believe that by shifting the attention from processes to people, from productivity to individual and collective growth and maturity, and by starting to apply the best practices of our human heritage we can make a difference. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders of education to support and contribute to this shift
Automated clinical system for chromosome analysis
An automatic chromosome analysis system is provided wherein a suitably prepared slide with chromosome spreads thereon is placed on the stage of an automated microscope. The automated microscope stage is computer operated to move the slide to enable detection of chromosome spreads on the slide. The X and Y location of each chromosome spread that is detected is stored. The computer measures the chromosomes in a spread, classifies them by group or by type and also prepares a digital karyotype image. The computer system can also prepare a patient report summarizing the result of the analysis and listing suspected abnormalities
The Parkes quarter-Jansky flat-spectrum sample 3. Space density and evolution of QSOs
We analyze the Parkes quarter-Jansky flat-spectrum sample of QSOs in terms of
space density, including the redshift distribution, the radio luminosity
function, and the evidence for a redshift cutoff. With regard to the luminosity
function, we note the strong evolution in space density from the present day to
epochs corresponding to redshifts ~ 1. We draw attention to a selection effect
due to spread in spectral shape that may have misled other investigators to
consider the apparent similarities in shape of luminosity functions in
different redshift shells as evidence for luminosity evolution. To examine the
evolution at redshifts beyond 3, we develop a model-independent method based on
the V_max test using each object to predict expectation densities beyond z=3.
With this we show that a diminution in space density at z > 3 is present at a
significance level >4 sigma. We identify a severe bias in such determinations
from using flux-density measurements at epochs significantly later than that of
the finding survey. The form of the diminution is estimated, and is shown to be
very similar to that found for QSOs selected in X-ray and optical wavebands.
The diminution is also compared with the current estimates of star-formation
evolution, with less conclusive results. In summary we suggest that the
reionization epoch is little influenced by powerful flat-spectrum QSOs, and
that dust obscuration does not play a major role in our view of the QSO
population selected at radio, optical or X-ray wavelengths.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, accepted 18 Dec 2004, Astron. & Astrophys. The
accepted version is expanded to include an analysis of the form of the
decline in radio-QSO space density at high redshifts. This is compared with
the forms of epoch dependence derived for optically-selected QSOs, for
X-ray-selected QSOs, and for star formation rat
Let's Get It On: Dressing Skill Development in Children With Vision Impairment and Children With Down Syndrome
Dressing is a fundamental independent living skill often haphazardly acquired via visual observation. For children with vision impairment and children with Down Syndrome (where vision impairment is a component), dressing skill acquisition can be delayed due to a reduced/absent visual modality. Independent living skills is an aspect of habilitation practice and training, designed to maximise independence in children and young people with vision impairment and prepare them for adulthood. This paper, presented in two parts, first details a systematic (UK based) survey exploring fastening use across a clothing sample of birth-adult clothing (N = 12,967). Study 1 presents a frequency distribution exploring types of fastenings used on clothing items from birth-adulthood. The data are fundamental in exploring the likelihood of fastening exposure across developmental phases. Further, Study 1 details the process behind developing a novel dressing skill intervention. Informed by Study 1, Study 2 qualitatively explored the effectiveness of an original resource/group-based intervention over a 10-week period. Eighteen children were recruited for the study, namely children with vision impairment (n = 9) and children with Down Syndrome (n = 9) aged 5–11 years. Collective and illustrative case studies are presented based on emergent themes from intervention observations. The findings reveal areas for consideration by Habilitation Specialists and the multidisciplinary team surrounding children with vision impairment and/or Down Syndrome as this may inform Habilitation Plans, and Educational Health Care Plan reports. The implications of this study extend beyond dressing skill development in children with vision impairment and/or Down Syndrome and inform resource development and subsequent practice when working with children with special educational needs and disabilities
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